The organization shall be called Chemistry International Friendship Group (CIFG) at UC San Diego.
At CIFG, we are committed to building an international community that welcomes chemistry graduate students from all social, cultural, and religious backgrounds. One major goal of CIFG is to help international graduate students to overcome language and cultural barriers by creating a supportive and welcoming environment. CIFG strives to create a sense of community to make every current, incoming, and prospective international student in the department feel recognized and supported. We aim to facilitate inter-cultural communication and encourage members to recognize the value of their own culture through community activities and social gatherings. Finally, we advocate for international students in the department and help them thrive academically and professionally through specific orientation activities, individualized mentorship, and career-building events.
Chemistry International Friendship Group at UC San Diego is a non-profit student organization.
Anyone interested is eligible for membership, although most of the members will be in chemistry-related fields and topics of discussion will be related (but not limited) to international students at the UCSD. One becomes a member by joining CIFG Slack channel, which is a safe space for all the members to share their cultural experiences, post questions about policies related to international students, etc. There are no dues requirements. All members must be UCSD affiliated.
A minimum of one group-wide meeting open to all participants will be held per quarter during the academic year to discuss the organization. At least one monthly event will be organized for anyone interested to join.
Only registered UC San Diego graduate students may hold office in the organization. Only registered UC San Diego students may vote in elections for the selection of the organization’s officers. Those holding office in the organization and those allowed to vote in elections shall be Chemistry & Biochemistry graduate students.
In the Spring of each year, the members shall elect at least one representative from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th+ (or Senior) year of the program will be elected in the Spring to represent their class in the following academic year as representatives for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th+ year (or Senior), respectively. Furthermore, these individuals shall elect three executive officers— the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Communications Director—from amongst their ranks to help lead CIFG’s activities.
Furthermore, CIFG shall appoint at least one member from the new 1st year class in the Fall, to represent these individuals in the midst of their first year of graduate study.
Additional officers are included based on the group’s current interests, such as coordinators of social events, community organizer, and professional development coordinator. The current Chair determines what positions will be available and e-mails a call for nominees with descriptions of each position. Eligible members vote on anonymous ballots, which the Chair tallies to determine officers for the next year. Re-election is not limited but may not extend after a graduate student is no longer attending UCSD. If a majority of individuals holding executive positions believe that a particular member in office is not fulfilling the duties of their position, they can be removed from their elected position and replaced by another eligible member through the discretion of the executive position holders.
Chemistry International Friendship Group at UC San Diego is a registered student organization at the University of California, San Diego, but not part of the University itself.
Chemistry International Friendship Group at UC San Diego understands that the University does not assume legal liability for the actions of the organization.
Considering the organization’s activities center around conversation and socializing locally, there are no possible risks associated with organization membership outside of everyday life.
The Community Advisor of Chemistry International Friendship Group will be a professor from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry who supports international students. The community advisor will be a bridge between the CIFG and the department and provide advice for successful CIFG events. A faculty member may serve as advisor for as long as he/she/they is willing to serve. Members of the executive committee may propose obtaining a new advisor if they deem the current advisor insufficient/ineffective with regards to the success of CIFG.
Funding will be requested from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, the GPSA, and Triton Community Fund. If necessary, additional funding will be obtained from fundraising activities and additional sponsorships.